According to Pellicci, Pellicci's Ristorante still uses his mother's original recipes including their famous "family-style dish" which is a combination of several homemade dishes, including home-made pasta and a secret chicken recipe that hasn't left the Pellicci family.

"My father was a waiter and he wanted to start his own restaurant," said Anthony Pellicci. "When the opportunity to do that on Stillwater Street came up, he took it and we have been here since."

According to Toni Lupinacci the restaurant was half the size it is today when it first started out.

"When Pellicci's first started out Stillwater Street was a long line of family-owned Italian restaurants," said Lupinacci. "And this restaurant was only as big as this tiny room when you first walk in the restaurant."

Even though the size of Pellicci's has changed the atmosphere has always stayed the same, said Lupinacci.

"I think what is so great about Pellicci's is that when you come here we treat you like you are family," he said. "Going here is like going home."

Over the years Pellicci's Ristorante has had to keep up with the changing technology, according to Pellicci.

"We are constantly updating, renovating and adding to this place," said Pellicci. "You have to keep up with the times, you know. In our first kitchen we had hardly any machines and now we have a huge modern day kitchen with all sorts of appliances."

Pellicci's has also had to update and change their prices on the menu.

"Back in the 50s almost all the dishes were less than a dollar, everyone who sees this menu always looks at the lasagna price (75 cents) and always is so shocked," said Pellicci looking over an old menu that he saved. "I wish we could keep these prices but just like the technology the times are changing and we need to update."

One thing the owners of Pellicci's are proud of is that the restaurant is very family oriented and accommodates customers from businessmen to babies, according to Lupinacci.

"I don't think too many restaurants are family friendly," said Lupinacci. "It's wonderful because there is such a wide variety of food here. You can get chicken fingers here, but also have a nice steak dinner if you want."

"I think the fact that our restaurant is relaxed really draws in a great crowd," said Pellicci.

"I always get calls from businessmen who are having a business dinner or lunch and they always ask if we are casual," said Pellicci. "When they find out we are, I always hear a sigh of relief or they tell me flat out that they are so happy they don't have to wear a tie and jacket and we want our customers to be relaxed and happy here."

According to Lupinacci, Pellicci and Gross have a lot of funny memories from growing up and working in Pellicci's.

"This place has a very easy-going atmosphere, so you can imagine the things that have happened over 61 years," said Lupinacci. "It's definitely a fun restaurant to work in."

The film "In Bloom" starring Uma Thurman had a scene shot inside Pellicci's restaurant in 2007. Anthony Pellicci also acted in the locally-filmed movie "Chooch" in 2003.

According to Gross one of the 'sweetest' celebrities who came to eat at Pellicci's was Tommy Lasorda.

"I will always remember when Tommy Lasorda came here to eat," said Gross. "We tried to sit him in the back, so he could have his privacy but he wanted to sit at the first table from where you walked in to greet every single person who came to the restaurant. It was great."

"Walter Cronkite, Joe Dimaggio, Alice Cooper and Cyndi Lauper are some of the people who have eaten at our restaurant and have their pictures hanging on our wall," said Pellicci. "I remember when Jimmy Fallon came here, he drank some wine with us and was just a really fun guy. I think he forgot to pay for the wine but I didn't care," said Pellicci, looking up at the picture of himself and Fallon hanging on the wall.

"There have been so many famous people who have come here to eat," said Lupinacci. "But no matter who you are coming here you will always get that same family treatment. I think looking to the future is good but keeping the past is better and Pellicci's has a little of both."

Today's Top Insider StoriesOur journalists provide in-depth analysis and reporting about the people, places and issues that matter most to you. Subscribers get access to all of their comprehensive coverage.Stories from Insider